Sea chest protection process

ABSTRACT

Method of protecting sea chests of vessels during layup by filling the chest with a substantially biodegradable vegetable oil based composition which has a melting point of between 25* and 50* C.

United States Patent Mauter et a1.

[ 51 Mar. 21, 1972 SEA CHEST PROTECTION PROCESS Inventors: DavidJQMauter, Edgewater, N.J.; Jack A.

Antinori, Bayside, Long Island, NY.

Assignee: Drew Chemical Corporation, New York,

Filed: Sept. 25, 1969 Appl. No.: 861,045

U.S. Cl. ..21/2.5, 2 l/2.7, l 14/0.5 R,

, 137/15 Int. Cl. ..C23i 11/10 Field oiSearch ..114/0.5 R; 21/2, 7,2.5;

h References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,450,070 9/1948 Wright ..114/05 2,785,078 3/1957 Keating et al. ,.2l/2.7 UX 2,856,299 10/1958Wcstlund ..2l/2.7 UX 3,084,791 4/1963 Hawley ..2l/2.5 X

Primary Examiner-Morris 0. Walk Assistant Examiner-Barry S. RichmanAttorneyDouglas W. Wyatt [57] ABSTRACT Method of protecting sea chestsof vessels during layup by filling the chest with a substantiallybiodegradable vegetable oil based composition which has a melting pointof between 25 and 50 C.

5 Claims, Drawingfigores V VALVE FITTING lo 5 (TOP OF SEACHEST u Patented March 21, 1972 3,650,677

VALVE FITTING l0 i (TOP OF SEACHEST II F--PIPE RETAINER I2 Is END PLATEOF SEACHEST SEA WATER INJECTION 81 '6 PIPE PIPE OPENING l3 I? HULLHOLDER fi A AA W '4 UVALVE FITTING Io SIDE OF SEACHEST 20 I9 WATER W M ISHIP INTERIOR 2| r I SIDE OF SEACHEST 20 x (\A /V\,

BOTTOM OF M SEACHEST INVENTORS F E 2 JACK A. ALVTINOM BY DAVID J. MAUTERMARK C. JACOBS ATTORNEY SEA CHEST PROTECTION PROCESS This applicationrelates to sea chests" and to the protection thereof from corrosion.More particularly, it relates to the prevention of fracture of theseachest's metallic surfaces and the sea valves, and to a fillercomposition for the sea chests, said filler composition to be utilizedduring the period of layup for the vessel.

A sea chest may be defined as a conduit fitting open to the sea, securedto the ship or as a part thereof and connected to a piping system of theship for the purpose of admitting water from the body of water whereinthe vessel is situated, to the piping system.

This admission of water can take place for any of several purposes.These include ballasting of the ship as well as for the coolingofsystems and for fire fighting.

Each winter on the Great Lakes of the United States and perhaps incertain other area of extreme cold, vessels traversing these waters arelaid up due to the inability to navigate the frozen waters. From anengineering viewpoint, it is essential that any equipment that containswater be drained and kept free from water during the so-called layupperiod until the following spring. Due to the fact that very fewdrydocks are available in these areas, most of the vessels are laid upin the water.

While inlet and outlet valves on all systems which, utilize water eitheras a coolant or for ballast can be closed and the lines and equipmentinboard therefrom can be drained, such is not the case for the seachests of the vessel.

Essentially, a sea chest can best be described, as previously indicated,as a void space or box on the skin of the ship below the water line andwhich provides a relatively stagnant area at the inlet to a pipingsystem. Reference is made to FIGS. l and 2 of the drawing, which will bedescribed in more particularity hereinafter. By providing this stagnantarea, free from the currents and pressures created by the momentum ofthe ship as it moves through the water, the centrifugal pumps whichforce water into the several systems of the ship are able to maintainsuction.

If the sea chest or water inlet boxes are not protected from the ingressof water during the layup period, water would enter the area up to theinjection valve, and would, as the temperature dropped, freeze, expandand cause the cracking of and destruction to expensive equipment.

A variety of methods have been tried over the past 50 years to preventthis from occurring and the one which has proven to be most successfulis the introduction of a grease-like sub- I stance to the sea chest. Themost common type offiller is a petroleum base product put out by themajor oil companies. These products are dark in color, have theconsistency of a very heavy grease, do not freeze, and have sufficientresiliency to give" under the pressure of external ice conditions.However, these are today considered to be unacceptable, as thesegrease-like substances, when pumped out from the sea chest into the sea,lake, etc., foul and pollute the water due to their lack ofbiodegradability.

Such pollution problems especially of the Great Lakes, and its beaches,are of grave concern to the states situated on the Great Lakes and tothe US. Government as well, since these governmental bodies are tryingto rehabilitate the beaches, aquatic life, and bird life native to area.

A few years ago, a product which comprised paraffin blended with mineraloil was put on the market as a sea chest filler composition. While thepollution problem was lowered by the use of such compositions, thecompositions are not readily accepted by the trade due to their poorhandling characteristics, such as minimum resiliency. The heatconductancy of paraffin is such that the entire mass cannot be melted.Rather, like a candle, only the unit volume immediately exposed to heatwill soften. For this reason, it is difficult to remove these materialsfrom the sea chest in the Spring. The color of such paraffin basedcompositions is generally yellowwhite and is not esthetic to the eye ofthe viewer.

It is an object of this invention, therefore, to prepare a biodegradablesea chest filler composition, which possesses good physical processcharacteristics, and to the composition derived from such process.

Another object is the preparation ofa sea chest filler composition whichis easy to handle during both the filling and pumping out operations.

Still another object is the development of a composition for filling asea chest which when inserted will prevent the admission of watertherein, which composition is biodegradable and has good physicalcharacteristics.

Yet another object is the preparation of a biodegradable, sea chestfiller composition of good handling characteristics.

A further object is the development of a novel method of preventingcorrosion ofsea chests during layup.

A still further object is the method of introduction and removal fromsea chests and adjoining appurtenant piping ofa filler composition whichhas a wide range of compatibility with other filler materials.

An additional object is the provision of a process for the introductionof a filler composition to a sea chest, and for the subsequent removalthereof.

A yet further object is the presentation of a novel method for theprevention of fracture and corrosion of sea chests during periods ofvessel layup.

Further objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will inpart appear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the processes involving the severalsteps and the relation and order of one or more of such steps withrespect to each of the others and the product possessing the features,properties and the relation of elements which are exemplified in thefollowing detailed disclosure, and the scope of the application of whichwill be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention,reference should be had to the following detailed description, taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURES 1 and 2 are partial cross-sectional views at dif' ferent crosssections of a vessel, and are intended to depict that area of a vesselwherein a sea chest is to be found. As such, sea water injection andpipe opening, 13, and valve fitting, 10, are found only in FIG. 1, whichis a further aft cross section. In the more foreward cross section, thestrainers, 22, and retainer, 21, are shown. The sea chest is shown tocomprise a top 11, a side 20, a bottom 14, two end plates, one of whichis shown, 18, and a curved side consisting of hull, 17, in which arefound two strainers, 22, whose front or inlet portion is not shown.

The pipe retainer 12, and pipe 16 are intended to hold the pipe thatterminates at 13, in place. The valve fittings 10 are used to provideaccess for the filler to the sea chest at layup and for steamlines orother means for removal thereof at fitout time.

During the operation of the vessel, water needed for ship functionsenters the sea chest area through the strainers, which are open to thesea, and the water is pumped to the various facilities such as thecondensers, ballast tanks or the evaporators, through a pipe openingsuch as 13. At layup time, the sea chest filler composition is pumped inthrough valves 10, and allowed to solidify. The screen or holes in thestrainer, 22, help keep the solidified material in place. At springthaw, or when the ship is to be put into service, steam or other heatedliquid or gas is pumped in through the valves 10, into the sea chest tomelt the filler composition, which then floats out through the strainers22, and into the surrounding water 19.

In short, the objects of this invention are accomplished by utilizing avegetable oil based composition as a sea chest filler composition. Apreferred vegetable oil based composition is prepared from still bottomresidues derived from the distillation of fatty acids from the variousvegetable oils.

l0l028 (HM Specifically, when vegetable oils such as coconut oil, palmoil, soybean, cottonseed oil, corn oil and the like are distilled toprepare fatty acids, grease-like still residues remain. These areseparated away from the oils. The oils, residues, and fatty acids mayeach in turn be treated as per techniques, briefly discussed infra,which are known to those dealing in fats and oil chemistry, to yieldcompositions that are the filler compositions of this invention. Thesescompositions possess physical characteristics of a nature, which renderthem suitable as sea chest filler compositions and handlingcharacteristics which makes them easy to handle during both the fillingand pumping out operations of the sea chest,

It is known to those skilled in the art that fatty acids can be preparedby the treatment of vegetable oils by techniques known as refining andsaponification. Fatty acids can also be prepared by the process known asfat splitting or fat hydrolysis of mixed triglycerides, which themselvesare obtained from vegetable oils. Refining, saponification and fatsplitting are well known techniques and are discussed at length in suchreferences as Baileys Industrial Oil and Fat Products, 3rd Edition (c)1964.

Specifically, when vegetable oils such as coconut, palm, soybean,peanut, cottonseed, corn, palm kernel, sunflower and the like, as wellas the hydrogenated and/or rearranged forms of said vegetable oils, aretreated to yield free fatty acids and glycerine, grease-like stillresidues remain as a by-product of these processes. These grease-likestill residues are collected and comprise one source of the fillercompositions suitable for this invention. As can be appreciated thesestill residues" will vary widely in their percentage compositionalmakeup and their chemical composition, in view of the fact that theactual composition is a function of the type of vegetable oil beingtreated and the extent to which the fatty acid recovery process has beencarried out. It is seen, therefore, that the ingredients of such stillresidues based upon any particular oil will be substantially the same.For instance, it has been reported that crude cottonseed oil prior totreatment contains such constituents as raffinose, pentosans, resins,peptones, inosite phosphates, chlorophyll, fatty acids and several othercomponents.

It is to be noted that the term vegetable oil is seen to encompass notonly the oil per se, but also hydrogenated, and/or rearranged oils whichlikewise will yield, upon treatment, the still residues utilized in thisinvention as filler compositions.

Similarly, when vegetable oils are saponified; i.e., treated withcaustic soda or potassium hydroxide to prepare soap stock, the residuesthat remain after collection of the soap stock, comprise another sourceof filler compositions utilizeable for the process of this invention.

It is to be seen that this prime soap stock can also be utilized as asource of filler composition, but it is too costly to utilize it assuch.

The filler compositions can also be prepared by the process of splittingrefined oils. In this process, triglycerides are reacted with waterunder heat and pressure to yield glycerol and a mixture of free fattyacids. The mixture of acids is then separated from the glycerol byneutralization techniques known in the art. The mixture of acids, nowwithout glycerol, is acidified and fractionally distilled. The remainingmaterial after the fractional distillation is retreated with a base suchas monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, calcium carbonate, magnesiumhydroxide, lithium hydroxide and the like, to yield a low grade soapstock. This low grade soap stock is collected and comprises a thirdsource of filler compositions for this in vention.

lt is to be understood that the crude fatty acid mixture with glycerol,as well as the fatty acid mixture after separation from the glycerol,can also be utilized as the filler composition of this invention, but itis economically unfeasible to do so.

In summary, it is seen that vegetable oil based filler compositionshould have a pH of about 7, a high flash point of about 226 C. C.O.C.,a melting point range ofabout C. to about 50 C., preferably to C., andbe a non-crystalline solid with a low coefficient of expansion and highresiliency.

The usual method for inserting sea chest filler compositions is to meltthe composition and to pump it into the chest according to knownmaritime techniques. This process will be described in more detailbelow.

The usual method of cleaning the sea chest is to attach a steam line tothe valve of the sea chest and melt the filler composition followed by aconventional pumping out step. Paraffin-mineral oil based compositionsdo not transfer heat such that the total body of filler composition ismelted. Rather, the entering steam melts a hole in the composition atthe point of initial contact, but that portion of the compositiondistant from the valve remains intactly solid. This phenomenonnecessitates the use of large quantities of steam, and an excessiveamount of time to accomplish removal of the composition from the seachest. While biodegradable, they are dangerous to fish, wild life andhumans on ingestion.

The filler compositions of this invention on the other hand, meltreadily between -90 F. and are thus easily pumped into the sea chest.Furthermore, they melt completely during the application of heat, asfrom a steam line and can thus be easily removed by a pumping operation.

The compositions of this invention readily adhere to the metallicsurfaces of the valves, piping, etc., thus preventing corrosion thereofand solidify within the sea chest at temperatures below about 80 F., andare seen, therefore, to be excellent sea chest filler compositions. Inaddition these compositions are completely biodegradable, and nonpoisonous to fish and wildlife on ingestion. This last factor is quitean important property of these compositions of this invention, for it isknown that certain chemical compositions, such as those derived frompetroleum while not dangerous to the feathers and other external surfaceof birds will kill the birds when they ingest such compositions duringattempts to remove the compositions from their bodies.

As to the use of the filler composition, it should be pumped directlyinto the sea chest at layup time to force the water out of the sea chestand to prevent ingress of water and/or ice during the layup period, Thisis accomplished by removing the head of the steel drum, which is atypical shipping container for such compositions and inserting a steamcoil into the filler until the composition melts at about 80 to F., andthen pumping it into the sea chest by way of a small hand pump connectedto fill lines. Naturally, the amount of filler required for a particularsea chest will vary with the size of the sea chest, To facilitateremoval of the filler during the fit-out" period in the Spring, steamlines are attached to valves on the sea chest to melt the filler whichis then blown overboard" by the steam pressure (usually 5 to 10p.s.i.g.). In actual fact, once the filler starts to melt, it has atendency to virtually slide out of the sea chest.

While the above described procedures can be readily accomplished withouta large expenditure of funds, it is to be readily appreciated that thefiller can be inserted into and withdrawn from the sea chest and itsappurtentant piping by the use of more sophisticated machinery. Thus anypositive displacement pump can be used as the mode of transmission, andany heat source capable of melting the filler composition can beutilized. Persons of the marine industry would be well aware of theexistence of these alternate pieces of apparatus to accomplish thedesired results.

The invention will be illustrated in greater detail in conjunction withthe following specific examples which, however, are not to be limited tothe details set forth therein and are intended to be illustrative only.

EXAMPLE I Into the sea chest of a Great Lakes steamer about 500 poundsof a melted filler composition comprising soap stock derived from thesplitting and subsequent neutralization of soya bean oil are pumped in,over a period of about 30 minutes, with several minute pauses betweenpumping intervals, to allow for solidification and compaction of thefiller.

EXAMPLE n Approximately, l,l00 pounds of a filler composition derivedfrom the refining of coconut oil, and which exists as a grease-likesubstance are delivered to ship side. At an atmosphere temperature ofabout 0 F., the filler is melted to a liquid by immersing a heatingelement therein. 500 pounds of fluid filler composition are then pumpedinto the sea chest of a Great Lakes Steamer, type Ore Boat by use of asmall positive displacement pump. After a'pause in the pumping operationto allow for solidification of the filler, pumping is resumed.Additional filler as required is pumped into the sea chest until thechest is completely occupied by filler composition.

In order to determine the order of magnitude of a vegetable oil basedfiller composition and biodegradability, a typical sample was submittedto a leading Eastern testing company to determine the Biochemical OxygenDemand (B.O.D.) for such product. It was found that the BOD. of thesamples was 300,000 p.p.m., which fact means that there was a high levelof biochemical oxygen consumption which is coincident with biochemicaldegradation. It is believed that other samples would have a B.O.D.approaching or better than 300,000 p.p.m. The B.O.D. test is a wellknown method for determining biodegradability and is reported inStandard Methods for the Examination of Water and Waste Water, publishedby the American Public Health Association, 12th Edition l965,p. 524.

Since certain changes may be made in the above products, compositionsand processed without departing from the scope of the invention hereininvolved, it is intended that all matter contained in the abovedescription shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense.

We claim:

I. A process for preventing fracture of a vessel's sea chest duringperiods of cold weather layup of said vessel, which comprises fillingthe sea chest with a substantially biodegradable vegetable oil basedfiller composition having a melting point range of about 25 C. to about50 C.

2. The process of claim I wherein said filler composition is soya beanoil based.

3. The method of preventing fracture and corrosion of a ship's sea chestwithout subsequent pollution of the water which comprises using as thesea chest filler composition, a vegetable oil based substantiallybiodegradable filler composition having a melting point range of about25 C. to about 50 C.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the composition is coconut oil based.

5. The process of preventing fracture in a sea chest during layupwithout subsequently polluting the water which comprises melting avegetable oil based substantially biodegradable filler composition,having a melting point of from about 25 C. to about 50 C., pumping saidfiller composition into the sea chest, at the beginning of the vessellayup period and the end thereof, melting said filler composition, andallowing it to dissipate into the surrounding water.

2. The process of claim 1 wherein said filler composition is soya beanoil based.
 3. The method of preventing fracture and corrosion of aship''s sea chest without subsequeNt pollution of the water whichcomprises using as the sea chest filler composition, a vegetable oilbased substantially biodegradable filler composition having a meltingpoint range of about 25* C. to about 50* C.
 4. The method of claim 3wherein the composition is coconut oil based.
 5. The process ofpreventing fracture in a sea chest during layup without subsequentlypolluting the water which comprises melting a vegetable oil basedsubstantially biodegradable filler composition, having a melting pointof from about 25* C. to about 50* C., pumping said filler compositioninto the sea chest, at the beginning of the vessel layup period and theend thereof, melting said filler composition, and allowing it todissipate into the surrounding water.